A NEW neighbourhood policeman is following in his parents’ footsteps by joining the force.

Pc James Tassell has joined the Peartree ward in Welwyn Garden City, taking over from Pc Alex Kettle-Stupka.

Both his parents, Chris and Sue, were detectives for Herts police, and are now retired.

Sue started her career at WGC 35 years ago.

James, 25, had been working in the intervention department, responding to 999 calls in the north of the county before making the move to local policing.

He said: “I always wanted to get into community policing and am thrilled to be doing this role.

“This is a new challenge for me and I will be using my skills and experience on intervention to help improve the quality of life for residents in Peartree.

“I want to know what residents’ issues and concerns are and will do my best, with other partner agencies, to help resolve short and longer-term problems.”

He added: “It’s been great to leave the patrol car in North Herts and get out on foot and meet the local people and businesses.

“I hope to be out on a bike soon.”

James added he is pleased to no longer be doing night shifts so he can spend more time with his new wife and 14-month old son and get back to playing football.

He will be working on the following priorities in Peartree:

* Speeding in Mill Green Lane, Peartree Lane from 7am to 9am and from 4pm to 6pm.

* Anti-social driving in Cole Green Lane from 8am to 10am and from 4pm to 7pm.

* Anti-social behaviour outside the One Stop on Bridge Road on Thursdays and Fridays between 4pm and 9pm.

AUSTRALIAN Susan Lyon is the new Pcso looking after Hollybush and Howlands wards in WGC.

The 26-year-old who is married to Bruce, first visited the UK in 2003 and after travelling across Europe is now settled in the area with two-year-old daughter Nora.

Susan previously worked in a customer based admin role in commercial property in London.

She said: “I’ve always loved working with people, and I know a customer facing role is what I am best at.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of the policing family and the Pcso role fits me perfectly.

“My job is to interact with members of the public and be a visible and reassuring presence in the community, which I thoroughly enjoy.”

Susan added: “I love the daily interaction with residents in Hollybush and Howlands, and spend the majority of time in King George V park, around the hospital and in areas where I have been made aware of parking problems.

“I want to be able to help solve neighbourhood problems like inconsiderate parking, and walk certain streets on a daily basis to ensure the residents know that I take their complaints seriously.

“I’m really lucky to work with fantastic officers and I get a real sense of achievement by helping members of the public – some of the issues are quickly resolved and sometimes, it is a question of passing on information to colleagues or a need for more input from other agencies.”

She will be working on the following priorities for Howlands and Hollybush:

* Speeding along Cole Green Lane.

* Anti-social behaviour around Hall Grove Shops after school and in the early evenings.

* Vehicle crime in Hyde Valley in the evenings during the week.